A veteran St. Lucie County deputy was fatally shot during a traffic stop Thursday morning.
Sgt. Gary Morales, 35, was shot and killed in the 3200 block of Naylor Terrace around 9:30 a.m., according to WPTV.
Deputies had stopped a vehicle in the area south of Fort Pierce before the suspect exited the vehicle and shot Morales, who was in his cruiser.
The 13-year veteran was transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect got back in his car and fled, leading deputies on a pursuit.
They followed the vehicle to Oleander Avenue where they apprehended the suspect after he crashed his car.
The suspect in custody is being questioned.
"Today is one of these days that deadly consequences occurred and we lost a hero today," Sheriff Ken J. Mascara told the news station. "He (Morales) was a bright young guy."
Morales is survived by a wife, children and his brother -- who also is a deputy with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident is currently under investigation.
Officer.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
